Trisula Purusa in Indian Sculpture
Summary
This miscellany article explores the anthropomorphic representation of Śiva’s trident (triśūla) in Indian sculpture. While Viṣṇu’s weapons such as the cakra and gadā are often depicted as dwarfish figures, the personification of the triśūla is rarely noticed. The author surveys examples from northern and southern India and discusses reliefs from Khilchipura and other sites described by J. G. Rao. In these sculptures the trident rests on the head of a dwarf figure, sometimes crowned with matted locks and sometimes bareheaded. The article points out differences between these figures and more common iconographic motifs and suggests that the trident’s personification reflects local artistic interpretations of Śaiva mythology. By drawing attention to overlooked examples, it enriches our understanding of the diversity of Hindu iconography.
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Conclusion
The survey of triśūla personifications shows that Indian artists occasionally rendered Śiva’s weapon as a dwarf figure, echoing the humanised weapons of Viṣṇu. These rare depictions demonstrate the inventiveness of regional sculptors and highlight the need for more detailed cataloguing of iconographic variations.